Here's a piece on why the 2012 Smiddy Challenge will be extra special for Brad.....
In late 2010 Brad and Fleur Scriven were motivated to do their bit to fight cancer. Close family friends had tragically lost their son aged only 17 and it was at this that point that Brad and Fleur decided they needed to act.
“There were just so many good families and people around me who have been affected by cancer,” said Brad.
“When a close lost his battle with cancer Fleur and I decided that we wanted to do something positive, we needed to help, particularly because we were healthy and our family hadn’t been affected by cancer we felt that it was even more important that we contribute.”
Brad registered for the 2011 Bottlemart Smiddy challenge—an inspired cycling challenge where participants cover 1600 kilometers in eight days from Brisbane to Townsville to raise money for cancer research at Mater Medical Research Institute. Brad, who had heard about the event from friend (who participated in the Midi-Smiddy Challenge), was determined to not only complete the physically arduous task, he committed to a fundraising campaign to benefit cancer sufferers.
“I got together with three of my mates and started to plan some fundraising activities,” said Brad.
“Our local bike store Cyc’d for Bikes in Norman Park came on board right away supporting us with the donation of a bike—that’s when we decided to call ourselves the Cyc’d boys.”
And Cyc’d they were. The group hosted BBQs and fundraising nights, coordinated a raffle and asked friends and colleagues to support their cause. Together they raised a staggering amount of more than $65 000 for Smiling for Smiddy.
But just weeks before the event with 8000 kilometres of training under their belt the couple’s life changed—Fleur was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Fleur’s diagnosis with breast cancer was ironic because there was no history of cancer in our direct family and that was why we had got involved in the Smiddy Challenge,” said Brad.
“Although Fleur’s surgery was scheduled for during the ride and our focus was 100% on her wellbeing she still wanted me to do at least cycle a couple of days but it was a very stressful time.”
Brad developed a severe case of bronchitis in the lead up to the event. Despite this he managed to complete one day of the challenge before having to withdraw but he hasn’t let this bring him down.
Fleur is now recovering well from her surgery and Brad is back on the bike and ready for the 2012 Bottlemart Smiddy challenge.
What started out as a commitment to help has now become a personal quest. Brad draws his inspiration from Smiling for Smiddy founder Mark ‘Sharky’ Smoothy who started the event in honour of his friend Adam Smiddy who died from an aggressive cancer aged 26.
“Mark’s ability to stay passionate and positive is inspirational,” said Brad.
“Helping people with cancer has become a personal quest—it’s something that in some way, shape or form has to continue.”
“There were just so many good families and people around me who have been affected by cancer,” said Brad.
“When a close lost his battle with cancer Fleur and I decided that we wanted to do something positive, we needed to help, particularly because we were healthy and our family hadn’t been affected by cancer we felt that it was even more important that we contribute.”
Brad registered for the 2011 Bottlemart Smiddy challenge—an inspired cycling challenge where participants cover 1600 kilometers in eight days from Brisbane to Townsville to raise money for cancer research at Mater Medical Research Institute. Brad, who had heard about the event from friend (who participated in the Midi-Smiddy Challenge), was determined to not only complete the physically arduous task, he committed to a fundraising campaign to benefit cancer sufferers.
“I got together with three of my mates and started to plan some fundraising activities,” said Brad.
“Our local bike store Cyc’d for Bikes in Norman Park came on board right away supporting us with the donation of a bike—that’s when we decided to call ourselves the Cyc’d boys.”
And Cyc’d they were. The group hosted BBQs and fundraising nights, coordinated a raffle and asked friends and colleagues to support their cause. Together they raised a staggering amount of more than $65 000 for Smiling for Smiddy.
But just weeks before the event with 8000 kilometres of training under their belt the couple’s life changed—Fleur was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Fleur’s diagnosis with breast cancer was ironic because there was no history of cancer in our direct family and that was why we had got involved in the Smiddy Challenge,” said Brad.
“Although Fleur’s surgery was scheduled for during the ride and our focus was 100% on her wellbeing she still wanted me to do at least cycle a couple of days but it was a very stressful time.”
Brad developed a severe case of bronchitis in the lead up to the event. Despite this he managed to complete one day of the challenge before having to withdraw but he hasn’t let this bring him down.
Fleur is now recovering well from her surgery and Brad is back on the bike and ready for the 2012 Bottlemart Smiddy challenge.
What started out as a commitment to help has now become a personal quest. Brad draws his inspiration from Smiling for Smiddy founder Mark ‘Sharky’ Smoothy who started the event in honour of his friend Adam Smiddy who died from an aggressive cancer aged 26.
“Mark’s ability to stay passionate and positive is inspirational,” said Brad.
“Helping people with cancer has become a personal quest—it’s something that in some way, shape or form has to continue.”
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